We often point out sale prices on basic Apple Watch Series 9 models — usually the more-affordable ones with aluminum cases and GPS only. But now Amazon is rocking great low prices on the fancy stainless steel models with cellular coverage plus GPS. You could save up to $227!
Apple Pencil 2 drops to lowest-ever price
Apple Pencil is one piece of Cupertino kit for which there are plenty of cheaper third-party alternatives. But why shop around for those often not-as-good choices when you can get the lowest price on Apple Pencil 2?
Right now you can nab one on Amazon for $79. That’s down from the regular price of $129 — $50 off! And the still-capable Apple Pencil (1st generation) is on sale for even less. See below.
Time for deep discounts on Apple Watch 9
Giant online retailers Amazon and Best Buy are offering deep discounts on Apple Watch 9. At Amazon you can choose different Series 9 versions ranging from $70 to $100 off regular prices. Best Buy offers tons of options, all at $70 off, from the cheapest to more pricey models.
And notably, Best Buy lists all of its $70-off sale items as “With blood oxygen feature.”
Get up to $100 off AirPods Max while you can
In what appears to be the first big discount on Apple’s $549 over-ear, noise-canceling headphones in 2024, you can currently get up to $100 off AirPods Max at Amazon and Best Buy ($449.99).
The last time folks had a shot at a deal like this was Black Friday 2023. It’s not clear how long the deals might last. And other AirPods models are also on sale.
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Grab big discounts on M2 Mac mini while they last
Right now you can get great deals on small-but-fierce M2 and M2 Pro Mac mini desktop computers at Amazon, thanks to a combination of price reductions and product-page coupons.
That means you can get between $80 and $123 off different versions of the machine, offering you a range of affordable prices and capabilities to choose from.
Best and worst of 2023: The CultCast’s year-end wrap
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Since Apple and the rest of the civilized world is taking a holiday break, we’re spending the majority of the show on our final picks for the best and worst of 2023.
Also on The CultCast:
- The U.S. ban on the import and sales of Apple Watch takes another weird twist.
- Former Apple design chief Jony Ive lures another former colleague away from Cupertino. This time, the goal is to build AI hardware for OpenAI.
- Amazon Prime Video’s plan to add commercials is a major bummer.
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.
Cost of ad-free experience on Amazon Prime Video goes up in January
Starting in late January, Amazon Prime Video subscribers will need to pay an additional $3 a month to watch without commercial interruptions.
The change leaves Apple TV+ as one of the few video streaming services that doesn’t charge extra to avoid adverts.
Save a couple hundred bucks on Microsoft Audio Dock
If you take a lot of calls via Microsoft Teams, Google Meet or Zoom — and if you like to save big on gear — new discounts on the Microsoft Audio Dock might be hard to pass up. You can get up to 86% off the normal $250 price.
Both Amazon and its bargain site Woot! offer deep cuts on the price. The lower price is just $35.
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Amazon Prime Video will soon show ads to subscribers who don’t pay extra
Add Amazon Prime Video to the list of streaming services that charge extra for advertising-free viewing. Commercials will start appearing on the service in 2024.
The change leaves Apple TV+ as one of the few video streaming services that doesn’t include adverts.
The cheapest and easiest way to add wireless CarPlay to any vehicle
The easiest and cheapest way to add Apple’s CarPlay to any vehicle is with a cheap Amazon Fire tablet and a USB CarPlay dongle.
You don’t need to buy an expensive new car stereo, nor spend the weekend ripping out your dash and fiddling with wiring. Adding a Fire tablet is very plug-and-play, and instantly makes a big difference. It cost me less than $100 and gave my old pre-Bluetooth stereo a new breath of life. Now I have a big, beautiful, 8-inch screen for maps and directions.
However, it took me a while to find the right combination of gear. Plus, you should consider a few things before taking the plunge with this DIY wireless CarPlay hack.
This $30 step-by-step guide shows you how to master Amazon and Shopify drop-shipping
Starting a side hustle that actually pays is tough. You’re essentially building a business from the ground up while still having another job that takes most of your time and energy. Unfortunately, there’s no magic formula for a low-effort side hustle with a big paycheck, but dropshipping with Amazon FBA or Shopify can be easier than other options to get off the ground.
Learn how to be a drop shipper on the cheap with the Amazon FBA and Shopify Dropshipping 2023 Business Model and Strategies Bundle. Its price recently dropped to only $29.99 (regularly $597).
Play Fortnite on your iPhone again with Amazon Luna
Epic Games Fortnite was just added to the Amazon Luna cloud gaming service. That means the very popular game is playable on iPhone and iPad, as well as Mac.
Because of a dispute between Apple and Epic, Fortnite has been banned from the App Store since 2020. But it’s now on Luna.
Leaked Beats Studio Buds+ come in delightfully ’90s transparent casing
Before Apple subsidiary Beats could get the word out, a listing appeared briefly on Amazon.com Tuesday showing upgraded Beats Studio Buds+ coming out May 18.
They take the same shape as existing Beats Studio Buds, but they feature a cool new transparent design option, upgraded performance and a slightly higher price of $169.95.
2022 iPad Air models hit all-time low prices
If you bought an iPad Air (5th generation) soon after it came out for full price — like I did — you hate to see news like this. Amazon just marked nearly every 2022 model down as much as $119, hitting all-time-low prices for both cellular and Wi-Fi versions.
But if you’re anybody else — like someone who needs a great iPad — it’s wonderful news. You can save $100 or more.
MacBook Pro drives ‘minimal’ and moody space-gray rig [Setups]
People love their “minimal” computer setups, but everyone has a different idea of what that means. Today’s featured M1 MacBook Pro setup is on the spare side — not to mention beautifully photographed — but it actually has a lot going on.
From the powerful laptop and 4K display to the big-time external storage, backup power and extensive smart lighting, the setup’s more than a match for its owner’s photo editing work.
Build your Amazon and Shopify empire with this $25 course bundle
Having a side income that generates extra cash each month can be the key to unlocking greater financial stability, exploring your creativity and, ultimately, finding the freedom to do the things you’re passionate about. One of the best ways to do that is through online selling on Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) and by dropshipping on Shopify. And you can learn exactly how to do both with this 2023 Business Model & Strategies course bundle.
Even better, you can now grab this course pack for only $24.97 (regularly $597) during our Spring Digital Blowout. You’ll have to act fast, though, as this limited-time deal only lasts until April 3.
Batman: Arkham Knight heads for Mac and iPhone via Amazon Luna
The Amazon Luna cloud-gaming service will soon include the Batman: Arkham Knight, Lego DC Super-Villains and three other premium games. They will be added in April.
And this applies to more than the United States, because Amazon also announced on Wednesday that residents of Canada, the UK and Germany now have access to Luna, which means they can play console-quality games on Mac, iPad and iPhone. There are even free games for Prime members.
One year in, Amazon Luna+ cloud gaming is fun but limited [Review]
You don’t need a console to play console games. Amazon Luna+ lets Mac, iPad and iPhone play top-quality titles with an external controller.
It’s been exactly a year since the cloud-gaming service launched, so I revisited Luna+ to see how it’s evolved. There’s a lot to like, but some significant limitations too.
Become an Amazon drop shipper with this $39 training bundle
Price of eggs got you down? You might not have to scramble to make your budget last the month if you start your own side hustle. Amazon drop shippers reportedly average $1,000 to $50,000 a month, and that extra cash can be especially useful with the prices of most goods rising.
Study up on how you can make a buck (or two) with this Amazon drop shipping course bundle. It includes 11 courses and is now on sale for just $39.99.
Discover how Shopify and Amazon FBA work, then cash in!
Amazon is one of the simplest ways to sell products, while Shopify offers a flexible dropshipping platform anyone can use. But without a business plan, you can’t make the most out of these platforms. Whether you’re selling goods as a full-time career or a side hustle, learn how to maximize profitability and efficiency with this business model and strategies bundle.
It’s on sale for just $30, but the insider knowledge is priceless.
Beats Studio Buds for $60? Yes, please.
Need great wireless earbuds but don’t want to spend much? Woot, owned by Amazon, is currently selling refurbished Beats Studio Buds for the uncommonly low price of $59.99.
That’s $90 off the list price of $150. And it’s less than typical sale prices, like the $99.95 Amazon is charging right for the buds right now.
Zugu makes 2 of Amazon’s most-wished-for iPad cases
Retail juggernaut Amazon.com keeps running lists of its most-wished-for products that folks want to buy or get as gifts. Consistently at or near the top of the tablet case list, you’ll find Zugu’s popular cases for the 10.2-inch iPad and 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
What makes those cases so coveted? There are plenty of reasons. Read on.
Get $50 off iPad Pro Magic Keyboards and $30 off Apple Pencil 2
With a new week come new discounts on Apple products — especially at this time of year, with new product releases from Cupertino around the corner.
Today Amazon is chopping $50 off of iPad Pro Magic Keyboards and $30 off Apple Pencil 2 (which is a return to an all-time low price).
Just how fast can Apple upgrade the MacBook Pro? [The CultCast]
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: It looks like MacBook Pros with more-powerful M2 series chips will come sooner rather than later. Is Apple going to make this an annual thing? And if so, how will Erfon (and other Mac fans) cope? So many decisions …
Also on The CultCast:
- What exactly is Apple up to with its U1 chips and iOS 16? Sounds intriguing.
- Amazon Prime Air delivers with drones, and a robotaxi might not be far behind.
- The DeLorean might make an 88-mph comeback.
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video livestream, embedded below.
Our sponsor: Squarespace
Special thanks to this week’s sponsor, Squarespace. Get all the tools you need to set up your very own website and commence selling anything online. Start your free website trial today at squarespace.com/cultcast (no credit card required). Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain with code cultcast at checkout.
Best Prime Day deals on Apple gear and more [Updated]
Amazon Prime Day 2022 is here, and Cult of Mac is showcasing the best Prime Day deals for Apple fans. The annual two-day sale runs July 12 and July 13, and there are lots of solid deals to be had, including the lowest-ever price on Apple TV 4K ($109), $279 Series 7 Apple Watch, AirPods Pro for $170, $299 iPad and much more.
Here are the best ones we’ve found so far.